Fastening device for show-windows or the like.



Nd. 771,535. PATBNTED 001". 4, 1904. B. P. GOFPIN. FASTENING DEVICE roasnow wmnows OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.2. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

a AQ P A W UNITED STATES Patented October 4, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR SHOW-WINDOWS OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,535, dated October4, 1904. Application filed February 2, 1904. Serial No. 191,700- (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. (JOEEIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of WVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in FasteningDevices for Show- VVindows or the Like, of which the following is a fulland exact specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in fastening devices forshow-windows, showcases, and like objects of that style of constructionwherein the glass plates employed are firmly held in place by clampingrather than by framing.

By my invention I provide means by which two joined glass plates willaccommodate themselves with respect to each other by self-adjustmentwhen an exceptional strain or pressure is exerted upon one or both ofthe plates. A very considerable portion of the damage which wouldotherwise result to the plates is thereby avoided.

My invention also possesses very evident advantages in the conveniencewith which the glass plates of show-windows, show-cases, and the likemay be assembled and fastened together.

The adjustability of the parts of my improved fastening device willallow ample accommodation for a reasonable variation in the positions ofany two registering holes drilled in the glass plates without affectingin any respect the strength or security of the article constructed.

In order that those acquainted-with the art may understand the nature ofmy invention, reference may be made to the following description and theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate likeparts.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of show-windows which include mydevice for fastening the glass plates. Fig. 3 is a perspective viewshowing my fastening device as applied to the interior angle of twoglass plates. Fig. 4 is a cross-section ofthe same. Fig. 5 is aperspective view showing the component parts of the fastening device.Fig. 6 is a crosssection showing the manner of attaching one of theglass plates to the frame when this is glass plate at right angles withand extending toward the adjacent edges. The sockets a a are slightlysmaller than and enter centrally into the holes m m in the glass plates.The clamping-plates a a are then securely fastened to the glass platesby means of the engaging screws it h and the metallic spring-washers K:in the manner shown and described in the im provement granted me underdate of September 29, 1908, Letters Patent No. 740,235, to which.reference may be made.

The insertion of any soft material between the metal and glass plates orsurrounding the sockets is unnecessary.

When the clamping-plates a a have been rigidly affixed to the glassplates, the bindingplate 6, having the slot-opening f, is placed uponthe clamping-plates (a a, with the in teriorlythreaded sockets a a"projecting through the opening f. The washers 0 0, havi ng the openings(Z (Z, are placed over the sockets a a and rest upon the binding-plate aThe use of these washers may be dispensed with, if found desirable. Thescrews 0 e are then screwed into the sockets a a" through the openings(Z (Z and engage the threads of the sockets. By means of a suitabledriver the screws 6 6 may be tightened, and the several parts of thedevice will be firmly held together thereby. 1

The relation of the several parts in respect to one another will remainfixed, as described, under normal conditions. WVhen, however,

an unusual stress or pressure occurs upon either one or both of the twojoined glass 95 plates, due to the uneven settling of the supports ofthe plates or from like causes, the clamping-plates a (0, having been sofirmly secured to the glass plates as to be almost integral therewith,will move with the plates, and

the sockets a" a with the washers 0 0 will move correspondingly in theopening f of the binding-plate 7).

To insure the desired freedom of movement of the sockets to" a in theopening f of the binding-plate b, it will be found that while inassembling the parts the clamping-plates a a should be so tightlyaflixed to the glass plates by means of the sockets a a andspring-washers 7c 7? as to act almost integrally therewith in order tokeep the sockets a a from coming in contact with the edges of the holesm m. The washers 0 0 do not require to be tightened to any such degreeto perform their function of keeping the component parts of the devicetogether under ordinary conditions.

Consequently when an exceptional strain or pressure occurs upon eitheror both of the joined glass plates, this strain will in turn be impartedimmediately to the parts of the fastening device. The sockets a a, asshown above, being less securely held in attachment with thebinding-plate 6 than are the sockets to a/ to the glass plates, theywill be more quickly affected by the strain and acting in response to itwill move automatically in the slot f. This adjustment will relieve thepressure upon the glass plates, and the fracture of one or both of themwill thereby be prevented. It will also be observed that thebindingplate I) can turn to some extent on screws 0 as pivots toaccommodate itself to the change of position of the plates. While ajoint is opened between the two glass plates, the 00- casion for thestrain can be ascertained and the cause of the same can be removed. Theglass plates may then again be brought into their proper position withrelation to one another, and the angle-plates can be readjusted to theirnormal condition.

Fig. 2 indicates a variation in the manner of holding the glass platesin position. The abutting edges L M of the plates F G and N O of theplates G H are secured together by means of myimproved fastening devicein the manner already described in connection with Fig. 1. The ordinarymanner of holding the non-abutting sides of the plates is by means ofexternal frames, as indicated at D D E E C C, Fig. 1, which areinteriorly rabbeted to receive the plates. In order to render theframing as inconspicuous as possible, thereby enhancing the appearanceof the show-window, the glass plates may be attached outside of theframes. Holes having been drilled near the tops and non-abutting sidesof the plates, they are firmly secured to the frame, as indicated inFig. 6.

The modified screw in Fig. 7, which is interiorly threaded at its topend after the manner of a socket, is screwed into the frame J. The glassplate F with the hole 6 is placed over the top of the screw w andsecurely fastened to the frame J by means of the screw it andspring-washer 71:.

The show-windows may be made tight by means of a cement filling, asillustrated at y, Fig. 3, or by attaching thin strips of felt or otherlike material to the contacting edges of the respective glass plates.

I have thus far described my invention as being applicable to the glassplates of showwindows; but it is clear that it is equally applicable inthe construction of show-cases, for mounting pictures, mirrors, glasssigns, and the like without exterior frames and in connection with otherallied arts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fastening device for fragile plates, comprising clamping-platesprovided with means for attachment to the fragile plates, and abinding-plate adjustably secured to the clamping-plates, substantiallyas described.

2. A fastening device for fragile plates, comprising clamping-plates,each provided with a socket, and adapted for attachment to the fragileplates, and a binding-plate adjustably secured to the clamping-plates,substantially as described.

3. Afastening device for fragile plates, comprising clamping-plates,provided with means for attachment to the fragile plates, and a slottedbinding-plate adjustably secured to the clamping-plates, substantiallyas described.

4. A fastening device for fragile plates,com prising clamping-plates,each provided with a threaded socket, and adapted for attachment to thefragile plates and a binding-plate adjustably secured to theclamping-plates, substantially as described.

5. A fastening device for fragile plates, comprising clamping-plates,each provided with an internally-threaded socket and with meanscooperating with the socket to secure the clamping-plate to a fragileplate, and a binding-plate adjustably secured to the saidclamping-plates, substantially as described.

6. A fastening device for fragile plates,comprising a plurality ofclamping-plates with means for rigidly attaching them to the fragileplates, in combination with a slotted bindingplate adjustably secured tothe clampingplates, substantially as described.

7 A fastening device for fragile'plates, comprising a slottedbindingplate, and a plurality of clamping plates, each of theclampingplates being provided with means for securing it to a fragileplate and being also provided with means cooperating with the slot inthe binding-plate so that the clamping and binding plates may beadjustably secured together, substantially as described.

8. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a slotted bindingplate, and a clamping-plate, the latter being provided with means forrigidly securing it to a fragile plate and with means cooperating withthe slot in the binding-plate so that the two plates may be adjustablysecured together, substantially as described.

9. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a binding-plateand a clampingplate, means for securing the said clampingplate to afragile plate, and means for adjustably securing together the saidbinding and clamping plates, substantially as described.

10. A fastener for a fragile device comprising a binding means, and aclamping means, the latter being provided With means for attachment to afragile device, and means for adjustably securing together the bindingand clamping means, substantially as described.

11. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a binding-plate,and a clampingplate, means for securing the latter to a fragile plate,and cushioning means for cooperation With said plates whereby thebinding and clamping plates are adjustably secured together,substantially as described.

12. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a slottedbinding-plate, a clamping-plate, means for securing the latter to afragile plate, and cushioning means cooperating With said binding andclamping plates for adjustably securing them together, substantially asdescribed.

13. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a binding-plate,a clamping-plate,

means for securing the latter to a fragile plate, and means, including aspring-Washer, for ad justably securing together said binding andclamping plates, substantially as described.

14. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a slottedbinding-plate, a clamping-plate, means for securing the latter to afragile plate, and means, including a spring- Washer, for adjustablysecuring together the said binding and clamping plates, substantially asdescribed.

15. A fastening device for a fragile plate, comprising a slottedbinding-plate, a clamping-plate, means for securing the latter to afragile plate, and screw-threaded means and spring-cushioning means foradjustably securing together the said binding and clamping plates,substantially as described.

16. A fastening device for fragile plates, comprising a plurality ofclamping-plates, means for rigidly attaching them to the fragile plates,in combination With a binding-plate adjustably secured to theclamping-plates, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twoWitnesses.

EDXVARD F. COFFIN.

Witnesses:

J OSEPH K. GREENE, ADDIE A. RICH.

